Son of Catherine II (“the Great”), he reigned from 1796 in a despotic manner, hoping to save Russia from a revolution such as France had seen. In 1798 he joined the coalition against Napoleon’s French Empire, but eventually turned against Great Britain, the leading member of the coalition. He was murdered in 1801 by guards officers who had grown tired of Paul’s incompetence and his harsh treatment of them

A silver ruble from 1798. Paul, son of Catherine the Great, was deeply religious, and his religious sentiments are reflected in this coin. Inscribed here in Russian is the motto “Nie nam, nie nam a imeni Tvoemu” – “Not unto Us, Not unto Us, but in Thy Name”.
Collection of Coins and Medals, Yale University Art Gallery
2001.87.293

1801 silver ruble. The obverse side is illustrated with a cross monogram consisting of four “P” letters in Cyrillic and the Roman numeral I in the center for Paul I.
Collection of Coins and Medals, Yale University Art Gallery
Gift of Rev. William H. Owen
2001.87.294